#and it would be quite fun to reflect that in the way she's drawn

[buqbite]

My thoughts here mainly revolve around YSA as the mary sue/female lead type character:

She goes from being this perfect woman to. just being a woman. And my idea is that the weight gain isn't there to make her "unconventionally attractive," or whatever other dumb phrase you wanna use to avoid calling someone ugly, but to make her conventionally attractive, yet realistic.

Instead of looking like a skinny waifu character, she looks like a skinny human woman. Her hair swaying in the nonexistent wind isn't as perfect, her magic blush is missing and she has eyebags. She's still hot, just more human.

[alcoholfreenayeon]

yow what abt twice mtls? confess first, fall in love, get jealous, fall out of love. great jeongyeon hc btw

Twice most to least likely: Get jealous

A/N: I feel some of these ended up sounding more yandere than jealous🙂‍↕️ but hopefully that’s just me😭hope you guys like it

Sana

She’s a huge flirt, she likes the way she can get people to be infatuated with her plus she likes to play hard to get.

Because of this she’s not used to people seeing her as a second choice so when she sees her partner having a good time with someone else when she’s available or even when she isn’t, it makes her feel strange.

It’s uncharted territory for her and she feels possessive immediately. After all what does the other person possess that Sana doesn’t. Why isn’t her partner yearning for her every moment instead of having a good time without her…

Nayeon

You’ll find Nayeon staring daggers at you with or without a polite smile. It’s really not a fun sight to witness because you just know you are in so much trouble later.

Nayeon feels very possessive of you. She’s someone who needs a lot of reassurance so you being clingy with anyone other than her doesn’t bode well with her.

Though she ends up feeling a bit silly after some time thinking for being so possessive she can’t help it, she wants you for herself and only herself.

Mina

Mina is a big introvert and she likes to stay indoors alot and keep to herself. But she knows she can’t really force you to do the same.

Nevertheless, she secretly wishes you would be that way. She’d prefer if she could have you all to herself. If it’s only you and her, all day everyday,

She feels sometimes she’s not good enough and that might make you drawn to others and hence gets her guard up immediately when she sees you being close with someone she doesn’t know.

Momo

You were happily chatting with your friend while waiting for Momo. You had known her for a long time, you didn’t take much notice of it when while laughing at a joke, she put her hand on your arm.

Soon enough, her instincts began to scream for danger and upon looking around, she spotted Momo a few meters away, glaring at both of you. “Is that your girlfriend?”…..

The journey back home was quiet. You realized how that might have looked out of context and were fearing Momo saw it differently. She was quiet though. “Everything ok baby?”, you ask her.

“Yes. But you need to sleep early and rest well”, she replies. “Huh? Why do I need extra rest?”, you question. “Well the couch isn’t very comfortable to sleep on is it”, she answers, unbothered, as she looks into the rearview mirror and applies her lipstick.

Chaeyoung

Chaeyoung and you were surprised to run into your ex at the mall. It was a bit awkward for the three of you but luckily there was no violence.

She hated how you and your ex became awkward because for her that meant you both saw each other and intentionally or unintentionally reflected back on the time you both were together.

She hated when while leaving, you both shared an inside joke which she didn’t know. Chaeyoung knew it’s just how these things go but that didn’t make her blood boil any less.

Tzuyu

Tzuyu is observant, she doesn’t always speak out, never mind her speaking her mind.

So when she was looking at your Instagram and spotted old posts of you and your ex, it just made her quite upset.

But she also knew it was the past yet she also thought you could have deleted it. After all wasn’t the ex was no longer part of your life.

Dahyun

Dahyun was watching you talk with the party’s host. It was normal. The two of you seemed to be getting along well.

She was standing a few feet away, getting something to drink when she suddenly heard the host make a suggestive flirty comment towards you. You didn’t realize it and just laughed along,

Dahyun though, gritted her teeth, it’s annoying that you always are so oblivious to these things. She’s gonna scold you for that later, as for the host…well, it’s a good thing her nails felt sharp right now.

Jihyo

Jihyo knows her worth and she knows you know it too. So she’s never really worried about someone else stealing you away.

But after watching some dramas, she got a bit influenced by them and began to worry that she didn’t like you as much as she thought or wanted because why wouldn’t she ever feel jealous. It was normal for couples to feel jealous at some point right?

And when she asked you to try and flirt with a cashier because she wanted to test something, you definitely felt it was a test. It took a lot of convincing from her and a promise that you wouldn’t get in trouble. Reluctantly you did it but when the cashier actually ended up giving you her number. Jihyo took your hand and dragged you out of the store without even buying anything. You were in big trouble.

Jeongyeon

Jeongyeon never has any real reason to doubt you. She knows you both love each other very much.

Of course, it’s inevitable that at some point either of you would get approached by someone else. It won’t be your or her fault if that happens.

But that’s easier to think when it hasn’t happened. When a fellow idol told Jeongyeon that she was lucky to have you and she should be careful you could get stolen. Though Jeongyeon was polite, her glare she ended up shooting at them later would have scared them silly.

[sapphicscholar]

Hacks 4.07 Thoughts

As always, thoughts below the cut to hide any spoilers!

Centering the episode around questions of faith and ritual on the one hand felt a little tonally odd, but also let the show to do a different kind of character exploration and communicate some things quietly for those in the know. For the non-Catholics, baptism is the first sacrament (a sacrament of initiation), and it represents both a rebirth (the cleansing away of original sin) and an entry into a new community/new structure of familial ties. Obviously those Catholic elements aren’t named explicitly in the episode, and the extent to which they register depends upon the familiarity of viewers with the Catholic tradition, but it was a nice way to quietly mark the watery rebirth of Deborah and Ava’s relationship—itself a cleansing (albeit, less wholly) of the wrongs that have been calcifying between them—as well as a way for the episode to talk about what it means for DJ to want something different for her child. We see her stand up for herself in a major way, and even though it becomes clear that it’s profit not faith that’s driving her (much more in character let’s be honest), I think there is something to what she sees in Aiden’s family. It’s not the Catholicism of it all (I PROMISE YOU THAT lmao), but it is a way of orienting themselves around each other that leaves DJ wanting more and better for her son than what she feels she got. And I think the choice of Ava as a godmother (even tho the Church would absolutely not have allowed it as a spur of the moment thing—you gotta prove you’re a practicing Catholic and all!) was a really lovely moment of growth and maturity from DJ.

As an outsider, DJ knows that there’s this version of her mother that Ava has drawn out from the soft, hopeful places Deborah walled off right around the time DJ would have been forming deep memories, but DJ also knows she’ll never be able to give that version of Deborah to AJ because it’s a version she knows of without knowing herself – a very faithful kind of believing without seeing, if you will. And much as she’s willing to wrench Deborah into the sanctuary and threaten to go low or no contact if she ruins something for AJ—an act of harshness born of love—she’s also willing to gift her son a version of her mother that she herself can’t quite access (at least not yet, maybe not ever). Ava can’t give AJ math lessons, let alone the intended role of spiritual guidance, but she can give him the version of Deborah at her best—the version she might have been had Frank and Kathy not done what they did.

Anyway, pivoting away from the Catholic of it all (a sentence I never thought I’d type in a Hacks recap!), the car conversation was obviously beautiful on its own terms, but it was also a nice way to get Deborah thinking about legacy, about belief, about what it is and was (bc it surely wasn’t faith in any higher power) that gave Deborah the strength to keep going—and how she’s going to make her show, her legacy, into the kind of thing that actually reflects who she is and what she values. Because we know that’s going to be what finally lets them succeed.

A couple quick delights: the stairwell scene, my beloved – we’ve been waiting for this, and it’s just as fun and sweet (without being saccharine) as I had hoped it would be <3

Even thought it was brief, I loved seeing Marcus - he seems so happy, and that's everything I wanted for him

Ava's book present is 100% the vibe I bring to the function (the function being all children's birthday parties)

But ya know I can't end without some kind of more critical note: I know a lot of the cast and creators talked about Julianne Nicholson as their favorite character this season, but I’m growing tired fast – don’t get me wrong, she can be fun to see, but at this point, it’s pretty clear she’s just here to give Jimmy and Kayla more to do on screen to justify the shift in narrative focus to include them as more major players (more on that in my ep. 8 notes), and it’s just…falling flat. Were this a 22-episode season kind of show, it might be different, but even with the slight increase to 10 episodes, this is a tight ship to run if you want believable character arcs scaled to the point JPL seem to want to exist at, and stuff like Dance Mom makes it baggy while taking away room for what we need to see

[marbofmoorock]

There's this poster in the background throughout episode 4. It's easily Ragatha, and likely drawn by Gangle, since she's the only person drawing in the show, Caine put aside. Yet why is it there? What is it for? What does it mean?

I have a theory that this drawing is a reflection of Gangle's way of seeing Ragatha. It would be a symbol of her trust and admiration towards her, before she calls her annoying and mocks her by saying she'd be a better boss than her.

Gangle likely sees Ragatha in a very positive light, even though the Stupid-Sauced version of her clearly surprised Gangle, or at least had her questioning Ragatha's ability to be genuine in her actions(That being said, she clearly saw something off with Ragatha, as She seems to agree with Zooble that Ragatha is as high as a kite).

Ragatha's unfiltered words likely hurt Gangle, as she was likely trusting of Ragatha enough to let her guard down and not expect any insults or verbal attacks(unlike Jax where she always expects him to be a jerk). Gangle was at least trusting on an emotional level of Ragatha, through appreciating her kind actions towards her. But Gangle is clearly shaken by her choice of words, reflected in her brief conversation with Pomni, and seconds after Ragatha calls her "annoying" which contrasts drastically with the poster's messages. Gangle likely saw Ragatha as pretty strong hearted and quietly respected her standing up to Jax, something she has trouble with up until episode 4. Whether it's a confirmation of perhaps past events where Ragatha may not have been so nice, or if this is brand new development for Ragatha from Gangle's perspective, it's clear that Ragatha unveiled a side to her that contrasts with Gangle's image of Ragatha(assuming the poster is Gangle's depiction of Ragatha).

In the poster, despite the words towards the bottom being rather smudged to likely most viewers(even when you zoom in(this is likely done on purpose by the tadc animators)), the top letters clearly says "Wow" and "So Cool" as this picture of Ragatha depicts her holding what might actually be Jax's decapitated head. This is kinda morbid, but would be interestingly enough on par with the original theme of the circus adventure, "The Curse of the Violent Psychopath Butcher." Since the episode is about Gangle, and this art suggesting something darker was supposed to go down, it's likely one of the characters was supposed to be exposed for perhaps killing/slicing up/maybe eating others. Perhaps this was supposed to be an expose of Gangle similar to how Middenhall Manner was a reflection of Kinger's mistakes. Perhaps Gangle was a yandere psycho type, and she literally "wore masks" to hide her true intentions, and "cut up people to ribbons," for some reason(boys, madness, breakup, etc.) hence why she likely has her body design in the circus. It could also be the character who was supposed to be the Butcher, leftover from Caine Accommodating Pomni's wish for no horror. (Edit: This is likely what Spudsy was rebranded from being, as he was serving human meat in burgers at his place now turned into a restaurant, only a psycho would be a cannibal willingly).

Comparing this to Gangle's other art, it's not quite the same as her drawing of her with Zooble and Pomni. That could be dismissed as a potential drawing due to its rougher art style. Likely, it could be drawn by another person, maybe Ragatha herself, as she doesn't like Jax, and maybe has a quiet fantasy of cutting Jax's head off as a way to blow off steam. It's got a design that suggests someone who wasn't maybe an experienced artist drew it for fun. This would make sense for Ragatha to most viewers, since we don't see Ragatha drawing in any of the episodes, which could mean she might be good at drawing, but isn't as good at it as Gangle or Caine is(despite having not seen the painting in question drawn by Ragatha nor any drawing by Ragatha, at least yet)

It could also be a hint in plain sight at episode 5, perhaps. It's not too crazy to believe that someone could separate their head from their body, live, and then eventually get healed in the circus later(This is because they can't die in the circus, Goose made that very clear in her Q&A taking massive inspiration from "I have No Mouth and I must Scream" where Iam, the supercomputer that tortures 5 humans endlesssly by making them immortal, and incapable of ending the suffering, but the circus is not quite as sadistic as that thankfully). Perhaps this hints at Ragatha maybe using Jax's head as a baseball, or maybe holding up his head in a way that signifies she won a fight against him, a potential power fantasy that the art could be depicting. However, Ragatha doesn't seem super violent and doesn't like being hurt by knives or spikes(like in ep. 2) or hurting others, so perhaps it is Gangle's art, after all. It may be an older drawing that reflects something she drew in the real world or an earlier drawing before she practiced enough to get a drawing style down, which was clear and evident with her picture of her with Pomni and Zooble. That picture looks very polished for a simple sketch, so it's clear Gangle was very serious about honing her drawing abilities to one day make a webcomic, and drawing in a style that strongly represents her inspirations of manga, but isn't manga itself, taking a more western styled design mixed with anime elements.

Another side theory is maybe Gangle convinced herself to stop being a manga artist because the poster represents what was perhaps her drawing style before she developed it overtime.

Perhaps drawing was Gangle's subtle way of staying sane in the circus, despite how she's constantly bullied in every episode before episode 4). Some artists deal with stress by drawing, so this would check out. I think I recall Goose saying in her Q&A she was known to do that, drawing to let off steam.

Regardless of what the poster stands for, it remains a mystery for now.

[30somethingautisticteacher]

Jee Dates

Enjoy some tooth rotting fluff...I love Uncle Buck and Uncle Tommy. 🥰 I have been writing so much but I guess it's because I definitely won't have the time once school starts back up!

_______________________________________

"Tommy, wake up," Buck said softly, gently shaking his boyfriend's shoulder. "It's Jee date day."

Tommy stirred, a smile spreading across his face even before he opened his eyes. "Already? What time is it?"

"Early," Buck chuckled, "but you know how excited she gets. We promised to pick her up at 9."

As Tommy got out of bed, stretching, Buck couldn't help but reflect on how they'd gotten to this point. He wasn't quite sure how it happened. He had always been close to his niece, but once he and Tommy started dating, she was drawn to Tommy like a magnet. And Tommy definitely didn't mind his adoring fan.

At first, it was casual outings - they would take her to the park or out for ice cream, or she'd come to their house for pancakes. But somehow, those casual meetups evolved into what they now called "Jee dates."

Now they had a standing date once a month where they would spend the whole day with Jee, doing activities of her choice. It had become something all three of them looked forward to, a special tradition that strengthened their bond as a family.

"So, remind me what the plan is for today?" Tommy asked as he pulled on a t-shirt.

Buck's grin widened. "To your delight, and Maddie's dismay, Jee has chosen the Monster Truck rally."

Tommy's face lit up with excitement. "Yes! I knew that kid had good taste."

"Well, she certainly takes after her Uncle Tommy in some ways," Buck laughed. "Maddie's convinced you're corrupting her daughter."

"Hey, expanding her interests is not corruption," Tommy defended playfully. "Besides, Jee loved Disney on Ice last month. She's a well-rounded kid."

Buck nodded, remembering how Jee's eyes had lit up watching her favorite characters glide across the ice. "That's true. From Disney princesses to monster trucks – our girl's got range."

"Exactly," Tommy agreed. "And who knows, maybe she'll grow up to be a professional ice skater who drives monster trucks in her spare time."

Buck couldn't help but laugh at the image. "Now that would be something to see. Maddie would probably blame us for that career choice too."

As they continued to get ready, both men felt a surge of anticipation for the day ahead. These "Jee dates" had become more than just a fun outing - they were a chance for Buck and Tommy to share their love, to be role models, and to create lasting memories with the little girl who had stolen both their hearts.

"Ready to go pick up our favorite girl?" Buck asked, keys in hand.

Tommy nodded, a soft smile on his face. "Always. Let's make this a Jee date to remember."

With that, they headed out, ready for a day full of monster trucks, cotton candy, and the unbridled joy of a child they both adored.

As they got into the car, Tommy grinned and said, "Ready for another adventure with Jee-bug, fellow Guncle?"

Buck rolled his eyes fondly. "You know, technically that's not quite right. I'm not gay, I'm bi."

Tommy's face took on an exaggerated look of shock, his voice deadpan and dripping with sarcasm. "Wait, you're bi? How come you never told me?"

Buck couldn't help but laugh, playfully shoving Tommy's shoulder. "Oh, shut up. You know what I mean."

Tommy's facade cracked as he chuckled. "I know, I know. But 'Quncles' doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well, does it?"

"True," Buck agreed, still grinning. "Though Maddie still thinks the qualifier isn't necessary."

Tommy nodded, his expression softening. "Right, because we're both just Jee's loving uncles, regardless of our sexuality."

"Exactly," Buck said. "But I have to admit, I do like our little 'Guncles' thing, even if it's not technically accurate for me."

As they pulled up to Maddie and Chimney's house, they could see Jee's excited face peering out the window, clearly having been watching for their arrival.

"Guncles!" she squealed as she ran out the door, Maddie following close behind with a backpack full of Jee's things.

Maddie shook her head with a fond smile. "I still say you're just uncles, but I guess I'm outvoted on this one."

Tommy grinned. "What can we say? The kid has spoken."

Buck just laughed as he got out of the car to scoop up their excited niece. "Ready for some monster trucks, Jee-bug?"

As they drove towards the Monster Truck rally, Jee chatted away happily in the backseat. Suddenly, she piped up with a series of questions that caught both men off guard.

"Hey Uncle Buck, how come you date boys? Are you guys ever gonna get married and be husbands? Can I be the flower girl if you do? And please don't get married at the hospital like Mommy and Daddy did, okay? And how come Mara and Denny have 2 Mommies? Are you ever gonna have a kid? Will your baby have 2 Daddies? If they do, will they be sad they don't have a Mommy? Will they call both of you Daddy?"

"Well, Jee-bug, that's a lot of questions," Buck started, his voice gentle. "I'll try to answer them all. I date boys, or in this case, your Uncle Tommy, because that's who I fell in love with. Some people love boys, some love girls, and some, like me, can love both."

Tommy nodded, adding, "And yes, we do plan to get married and be husbands someday. When we do, we'd love for you to be our flower girl."

"And we promise not to get married in a hospital," Buck chimed in with a grin. "We'll pick somewhere much more fun."

"As for Mara and Denny having two mommies," Tommy continued, "families come in all different shapes and sizes. Some have a mom and a dad, some have two moms or two dads, and some have just one parent."

Buck picked up the thread, "Tommy and I would love to have a family someday. And yes, if we do, your cousin will have two dads."

"But they won't be sad about not having a mommy," Tommy added. "Because they'll have two parents who love them very much, just like your mom and dad love you."

"And if we do have kids," Buck concluded, "they might call us both Daddy, or we might use different names to avoid confusion. We'll figure that out when the time comes."

Jee seemed to consider this for a moment. "Okay," she said finally. "Can we get cotton candy at the monster trucks?"

Buck and Tommy both chuckled at the abrupt change of subject, typical of a child Jee's age.

"Sure thing, Jee-bug," Tommy said, catching Buck's eye with a warm smile. They both felt a surge of love - for each other, for Jee, and for the family they would have someday.

[ritmund-jpg]

holy shit a new update for disco elysium just dropped

pics just for local fun, were drawn a two years ago, in 36 day since full war was started.

pic. 1 - here we are - me and my bestie - @trottil, chilling with almost no money in my yard;

we didn't have possibility to meet irl for a quite long time since 24.02, but once it turned out that we both in time of playing DE often imagine us, like we just walking? or running? like kim and harry? just doing something together, some casual daily stuff that we have to do, and everything around just ok as it usually possible, interesting and not so horrible, as it was in few first months of big invasion.

pic. 2 - I didn't finish this drawing then, because of my studies, so I just paint it a bit now a little and put Kim in it!

we!!!

she!!!

generally, Disco Elysium was so important for my mental health in those times, not only like a way for escapism, more like "yep life sucks sometimes but you still can be able to be kind, do something important, even if it's so for a few people - it's still great; sometimes you suck, sometimes you just rotting, but it's not the end, it's not for ever, you still able to manage it, just not immediately " and and so on. It helped to run through the hell with less damage, than it could be.

I would tell more, I would write a whole article about what exactly is in this game helped me to understand and reflect the part of most terrifying time in my life, but it seems to me that my english skills are not enough to describe this deep reflections and I feel stupid because of it

[nayziiz]

Team Dynamics | LN4

Summary: To celebrate the launch of their 2024 car for the upcoming F1 season, McLaren hosts a masquerade gala event that sees two souls connect and lead to a whirlwind romance. Unfortunately, the pair realise soon after that they are to work together quite closely after they agreed it would only be a one-night thing.

Warnings: Smut, alcohol, one night stand, unprotected sex

Pairing: Gemma (I don't like writing with Y/N or reader) x Lando Norris

Series Masterlist

PART 7

As the week leading up to the Canadian Grand Prix unfolds, Gemma and Lily make plans for another karting session. The girls, eager to share their enthusiasm for karting, decide to extend the invitation to Lando and Oscar, transforming the girls’ day into a full-blown group activity.

Gemma and Lily, having bonded over their shared love for racing, have previously enjoyed karting together several other times. Lily, under Gemma's guidance, has become more comfortable manoeuvring the kart around the track. Now, they envision a fun day on the karting circuit with Lando and Oscar to spice their adventure up. The group activity becomes a refreshing break from the intensity of the Grand Prix weekend, allowing them to indulge in their shared love for speed and competition in a more relaxed setting.

“So, who’s going to be the fastest?” Lando grins, his hands gripping the steering wheel of their rental SUV with an eagerness that mirrors the impending thrill of the race.

“I have my money on Gems.” Lily chimes in, her playful confidence adding to the pre-race banter. Oscar, seated next to Lando, nods in agreement, a smirk playing on his lips

“Honestly, same.” Oscar declares, fueling the friendly rivalry.

“Wow, I’ve never felt so loved before.” Gemma teases, a mock expression of surprise on her face as she glances at Lando.jokes once she sees Lando’s fake displeasure in the rearview mirror.

“Now you just have to prove it.” Lando challenges, his eyes locked on Gemma's, a wink accentuating the playful dare.

As the group approaches the karting track, the atmosphere becomes charged with an undeniable tension between Lando and Gemma. Despite being surrounded by friends, the magnetic connection they share persists, creating an undercurrent of unspoken understanding that lingers in the air. Whether engaged in casual chatter or dancing to the beats of the music, their interactions inevitably gravitate towards each other, the invisible pull between them palpable to those who observe.

Upon arriving at the karting facility, Lando expertly parks the vehicle, the engine's purr momentarily drowning out the electric energy between him and Gemma. The group excitedly exits the car and makes their way to the relatively quiet track. Amidst the anticipation, the tension between Lando and Gemma is heightened as they change into their sleek racing gear.

Gathering at the karting centre, Lando's attention is immediately drawn to Gemma's new karting race suit. Charcoal grey with vibrant hints of fluorescent yellow and orange around the edges, it not only reflects a sense of style but also hints at a competitive spirit ready to be unleashed on the track. The way the suit contours to Gemma's figure adds an unexpected layer to the charged atmosphere.

The stage is set for a thrilling day on the karting circuit. The roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the sight of winding tracks create an ambiance of pure adrenaline.

“New suit?” Lando queries, unable to contain his curiosity.

“Yeah, I thought it was time to get a new one.” Gemma replies, her eyes briefly studying his reaction.

“I like it.” Lando declares, appreciating the sleek design and the confident aura it exudes.

“Of course you would, it's your yellow.” She informs him with a grin.

As Gemma scurries away to join Oscar and Lily, the sound of her laughter echoes in the air, a playful melody that adds to the lively atmosphere of the karting facility. Lando watches her go, a bemused expression on his face. The banter between them is a familiar dance, one that Gemma navigates with effortless charm.

Left standing alone, Lando chuckles to himself, a fond smile playing on his lips. He throws his head back in playful defeat, a theatrical gesture that conveys both amusement and a genuine appreciation for Gemma's ability to engage him in their banter. It's a game they play, a dynamic that has become second nature.

The subtle acknowledgment that Gemma holds a certain sway over him lingers in the air. It's more than just friendly banter; there's a nuance to their interactions that goes beyond words. As Lando watches Gemma join their friends, there's a flicker of something in his eyes – an unspoken understanding that their connection is unique, a dynamic that adds an extra layer of intrigue to their friendship.

Undeterred by the playful banter, Lando decides to follow Gemma towards the four karts awaiting them for their karting adventure. His strides are purposeful, a mix of determination and a subtle acknowledgment of the connection that seems to persist between them. As he reaches her kart, the atmosphere is charged with a unique energy, a blend of anticipation and unspoken understanding.

Taking on a supportive role, Lando assists Gemma as she settles into her kart, his hands deftly helping her secure the straps of her helmet. Gemma, in turn, reciprocates the gesture, a silent exchange that goes beyond the mechanics of gearing up for the race. The shared moments of assistance create a tangible sense of connection, a bond that extends both on and off the track.

As Lando kneels beside Gemma's kart, their eyes meet for a fleeting moment, an unspoken acknowledgement passing between them. The click of the helmet strap resonates in the air, a sound that becomes a metaphor for the unspoken dynamics weaving through their friendship. The simple act of assisting each other becomes a subtle dance, a prelude to the exhilarating karting experience that awaits them.

“How does it feel?” Gemma vaguely asks Lando.

“What?” He responds, still kneeling beside her.

“Knowing you’re about to eat my dust.” Gemma chirps and Lando pauses before he responds. “What? No quirky response from you? Have I actually won in life?”

“If I beat you, we get to go out to dinner, just the two of us.” Lando quickly fires back.

“And, what if I beat you?” Gemma counters.

“Then you get to play with my feelings a little longer.” Lando mumbles.

Lando's unexpected admission hangs in the air as he walks away, leaving Gemma momentarily speechless beside her kart. The playful banter, which had been a constant companion throughout the day, has now taken an unexpected turn, revealing a layer of emotions that adds complexity to their friendship. Gemma is left to contemplate the weight of Lando's words, a swirl of thoughts and emotions echoing in her mind.

As the lights go out, signalling the start of the race, Gemma is momentarily caught off guard, allowing Oscar to swiftly overtake her around the first corner. Her focus momentarily shattered by Lando's unexpected revelation, she grins at Oscar's triumphant manoeuvre, appreciating the playful competitiveness of the day.

Gemma snaps out of her momentary lapse, and a newfound determination sets in. She accelerates down the straights with full force, swiftly overtaking Oscar within a few minutes. Lando, still maintaining his lead, becomes her next target as she manoeuvres through the twists and turns of the track with precision.

As the race progresses, the adrenaline builds, a group of spectators watch in awe as Gemma closes the gap between her and Lando. Approaching the final laps, Gemma, fueled by the competitive spirit that now surges within her, decides to make her move. The air is charged with excitement as she attempts to overtake Lando, and they go wheel to wheel in a thrilling battle for the lead. The two drivers skillfully navigate the track, pushing their karts to the limit in a display of skill and determination.

In a nail-biting finish, Lando manages to secure victory by a few milliseconds. The competitive spirit between Gemma and Lando has reached its peak, creating a memorable and exhilarating karting experience for the entire group. The cheers and laughter of the spectators fill the air as they celebrate the hard-fought race.

“Good effort, Mayfield.” Lando comments once they're out of the karts and have their helmets off. His voice carries a tone of satisfaction, clearly pleased with his victory on the track.

“Good choice.” Lando, maintaining his confident demeanour, smirks in acknowledgment.

“Maybe I just felt like a good dinner.” Gemma, undeterred by the narrow defeat, retorts with a playful grin

The banter continues, adding a light and playful touch to the post-race atmosphere. The shared thrill of the karting competition has created a moment of camaraderie, setting the stage for a celebratory dinner that promises to be both competitive and enjoyable for Gemma and Lando.

As Gemma and Lando settle into a quiet Japanese restaurant for their dinner, the atmosphere is a blend of relaxation and anticipation. The soft glow of ambient lights casts a warm ambiance over their table, creating a serene backdrop for their conversation. Lando, seated across from Gemma, casually peruses the menu, seemingly at ease. However, Gemma's thoughts linger on the unexpected comment he made earlier about her playing with his feelings.

The menu, filled with an array of tempting Japanese delicacies, serves as a momentary distraction. Gemma glances at it, contemplating her choices, but her mind is preoccupied with the enigmatic dynamics that have unfolded throughout the day. The playful banter on the racetrack, the admission about feelings – it all adds a layer of complexity to their friendship that she hadn't fully anticipated.

Lando looks up from the menu, catching Gemma's gaze. There's a subtle acknowledgment between them, an unspoken understanding of the uncharted territory their banter has treaded. Gemma can sense that beneath his calm exterior, there might be more to the comment than meets the eye.

Their orders placed, the restaurant's tranquil atmosphere envelops them. The aroma of freshly prepared Japanese cuisine wafts through the air, adding to the sensory experience. As the first dishes arrive, Gemma takes a moment to break the silence.

“Lando.” She begins, her voice a mixture of curiosity and sincerity. “About what you said earlier—”

“Yeah?” Lando interrupts her as he glances up from his plate, meeting her gaze. His expression is a mix of openness and a hint of vulnerability.

“What did you mean by 'playing with your feelings'?” Gemma continues, choosing her words carefully.

Lando pauses, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. The restaurant, though filled with a gentle murmur of conversations, seems to hush as they navigate the unspoken territory between them.

“That was just a stupid joke.” Lando speaks softly, his eyes meeting Gemma's with a sincerity that softens the weight of his earlier words.

“It’s not my intention, Lan.” Gemma adds, her gaze reflecting genuine concern. Lando, sensing the need for reassurance, reaches across the table. His hand gently envelops hers, offering a reassuring squeeze.

“No, no. I was just teasing you earlier.” He assures her, his eyes conveying a mixture of warmth and lightheartedness. The tension that lingered between them begins to dissolve as their hands find a comforting connection.

His gentle grasp offers comfort, and though Gemma doesn't immediately respond, she allows him to hold her hand as they both return their attention to their meals. The subtle connection, expressed through the warmth of their intertwined fingers, adds a layer of comfort to the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Lando, ever attentive, releases Gemma's hand only when he needs to pour her a glass of wine. The exchange, though brief, carries an undercurrent of sincerity and unspoken emotions.

“You were pretty feisty out there today.” Lando comments, a playful glint in his eyes as he revisits their karting adventure.

“One more lap and I would have beat you.” Gemma retorts, her competitive spirit still shining through.

“Good thing there was only ten laps.” Lando chuckles, his confident demeanour intact. “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an absolute turn on.”

“I’m flattered that you feel threatened by a little old me.” Gemma taunts him, deliberately sidestepping his last statement.

As they conclude their meal, the atmosphere between Gemma and Lando is one of genuine connection and ease. The unspoken complexities that lingered earlier in the day seem to dissipate with the warmth of shared laughter and the satisfaction of a delicious dinner.

On their walk back to the hotel, the cool night air provides a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the restaurant. Lando, ever attuned to Gemma's presence, wraps his arm around her shoulders. Gemma leans against him, a silent acknowledgment of the comfort and bond that has grown between them. As they walk back to the hotel, the conversation takes a more personal turn. Lando glances down at Gemma, his curiosity piqued.

“You never told me why your last relationship didn’t work out.” Lando mentions with a hint of sincerity in his voice.

“Ah, Lucas.” Gemma breathes, a brief pause before she continues. “He wanted to focus on himself. Said he wanted to achieve his dreams, whatever they were. He was just an apprentice accountant.”

“And, you were together for three years?” Lando continues to ask.

“Correct.” Gemma nods.

“And, was marriage ever a topic of discussion?” Lando wonders.

“His mom brought up getting engaged at a family dinner and a week later we broke up.” Gemma explains.

“Sounds like he has commitment issues.” Lando replies.

“You’re telling me.” Gemma chuckles.

“Do you ever think about him and what could have been?” Lando enquiries.

“Not really. Honestly, not since that night with you.” Gemma replies, causing Lando to combust with laughter from the thoughts racing through his mind. “Come on, tell me what you just thought.”

“I don’t want to disrespect you.” Lando chuckles.

“Lando, just tell me.” Gemma urges him, nudging him ever so slightly in the ribs.

“I fucked that man right out of you.” Lando whispers and the heat instantly rushes to her cheeks.

“Sure did.” She confirms causing his breath to hitch.

“Do you ever think about me?” He asks her once he catches his breath.

“More than I should.” She replies as she looks up at him. “I’m not trying to play with your feelings, Lan, but I just can’t give you what you want right now.”

“You’re in my life, that’s all I need right now.” He assures her. “And, I don’t mind admiring you from afar. Gives me the perfect view of your ass.”

“You’re also welcome to grab it from time to time.” She informs him.

“I never thought I’d hear you say that. That’s hot.” Lando tells her.

Gemma's smile lingers, radiant in the gentle glow of the streetlights as they continue their walk towards the hotel. There's a comfort in Lando's presence, an unspoken assurance that wraps around her like a warm embrace. His arm remains casually draped over her shoulders, a simple gesture that speaks volumes about the genuine connection they share.

In Lando's company, Gemma finds a refuge where she can be her true, silly self. His easygoing nature and the effortless banter they exchange create a space where laughter flows freely, unburdened by the complexities of the outside world. He is more than a friend; he is a confidant, a person with whom she can be unapologetically herself.

However, beneath the surface of their banter, Gemma grapples with a hesitancy that tugs at her heart. She's aware of the depth of Lando's feelings for her, the unspoken declarations that echo in his gaze and linger in the pauses between their conversations. The connection they share is undeniable, and she can't ignore the genuine care he showers upon her.

Yet, despite having fallen fast for him, Gemma hesitates to express her own feelings. The uncharted territory of romantic entanglements feels both thrilling and intimidating. The vulnerability that comes with laying bare her emotions is a precipice she has yet to navigate. The fear of changing the dynamic between them, of risking the friendship they've cultivated, holds her back from taking that leap.

As they stroll along the quiet streets, Gemma's internal dialogue echoes the rhythmic pattern of their steps. She glances up at Lando, appreciating the way his presence provides a sense of security and ease. The unspoken words linger on the tip of her tongue, a confession waiting to find its voice.

As they reach the entrance of the hotel, Lando holds the door open for Gemma with a courteous smile. The chivalrous gesture adds a touch of old-world charm to the moment, a reflection of the thoughtfulness that underscores their connection. Gemma acknowledges the gesture with a grateful smile, appreciating the small but significant moments of consideration that Lando consistently offers.

The lobby, bathed in soft, ambient lighting, exudes an elegant charm that sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Tasteful decorations enhance the atmosphere, creating a sense of warmth and sophistication. Gemma and Lando navigate the lobby with easy familiarity, the unspoken understanding between them adding a layer of intimacy to the surroundings.

As they approach the elevator, the anticipation of the night ahead becomes subtly palpable. The hushed conversations of other hotel guests and the muted sounds of elegant music create a backdrop for the unspoken tension between Gemma and Lando. Each step towards the elevator seems to carry the weight of unexpressed emotions, an undercurrent that adds both excitement and a touch of uncertainty to the atmosphere.

The elevator doors slide open, revealing a plush interior that echoes the sophistication of the hotel. Gemma and Lando step inside, the confined space lending an intimate quality to the moment. The air between them is charged with a subtle energy, a blend of shared laughter, lingering glances, and the unspoken question of what the night holds.

“Well, this is my stop.” Gemma states, a hint of reluctance in her voice. Lando nods, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. The elevator slows to a halt, and Gemma steps towards the doors.

"It was a wonderful evening, Gems. I'm glad we could spend it together." He tells her, a genuine smile playing on his lips.

“Yes, it was. Thank you for the lovely company, Lan.” She agrees as she steps out of the elevator. The doors begin to close, but she turns to face him one last time, her eyes holding a promise of something more. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”Lando replies, his tone warm and sincere.

The elevator doors slide shut, separating them for the night. As Gemma walks down the corridor to her room, she can't help but replay the moments of the evening in her mind.

[ibrithir-was-here]

I want to know more about Ileana and Drac backstory. Why did he chose her? Does she come from a noble family who made a deal with Dracula - was it basically an arranged marriage? Is she a reincarnation of his previous wife? Did he had a previous wife(s) at all??

Hey thanks for asking about this story!!

So, my idea per her backstory links into my idea for Dracula's backstory. I didn't just want to make him Vlad Dracula cuz that's been over done to (un)death :p

But then he does clearly identify himself as a member of the Dracula family who did actually exist, and who he seems to be quite proud of.

So I got digging to see if I could find anything that might work to slot into actual history.

And low and behold, Wikipedia has an extremely dubious little mention of Vlad Dracula'a son, "Minhea the Evil" , having has a purported third son, "Morus Atrum"

Which, it so happens translates from Latin into something approximately like "Dark Bite"

Which, all of its absolutely dubious historicity aside, sounds like a fang-tastic sort of "real name struck from the records in shame and evil moniker put in it's place" sort of name for a vampire! >:D

(My birth name name for him Mihail Imre Dracula, with credit to @animate-mush for the middle name—I liked the idea of the Devil’s favorite student having the name of the Archangel who tossed him out of heaven)

So my backstory for Dracula is that he's the illegitimate grandson of Vlad Dracula, the son of Minhea with a Romanian peasant woman, who grew up hearing all these amazing (and gory) stories of his lineage and determined he would be the greates of them, and the friendly fallen monk who helped corrupt raise him helps set him up to become a Scholomance alumni and all around terror

(His being raised amoung the so called "lower classes" is also my justification of why my version of Dracula speaks Romanian privately when the upper classes

After he's achieved full undead status after wizardly warlording his mortal life away, he decides it's probably high time he got down to spreading evil in new and creative ways, and sets his eye on finding a suitable bride he can make unholy offspring with (kinda fudging/adjusting the idea of a person being born a vampire if they're the illegitimate child of two illegitimate people—one of whom happens to be a vampire wizard)

And of course, being a proper nobleman, he wants to keep it in the family. So he sends out his dark magic feelers into the world, looking through all his half-siblings descendants

So then I set about trying to find a suitable Dracula descendant to throw an ill-fates child onto 😅

When low and freakin behold--there actually was an Elena Dracula that fit perfectly into the time period I wanted and who was the illegitimate daughter of Peter the Lame, the nephew of my version of Dracula!!

So that just seemed like Fate xD I did elect to keep her name as Ileana, since this is a fictional character and not in any way a true reflection of who Elena Draculesti might have been, but it was a fun little bit of serendipity

So Ileana is seen by some of Dracula’s contacts, witches, who know of his preference to see himself as the destined third son of fables, the one who passes through the trials that destroy all others, the one who is promised Youth without Age and Life without Death, the one who wins the beautiful golden haired princess…

And they steal the child away, raising her to be a dutiful bride to her awaiting lord and master, who will come to claim her on her 18th birthday…

(As to a previous wife during his mortal life? I will admit I have become very drawn by @see-arcane ‘s idea of Countess Dolingen being his wife who left him that he’s never truly gotten over, so in the realm of the tumblr version of Ileana’s story (if I made it a proper book I’d have to do my own thing of course) Dracula does pick her because she reminds him of his first wife—but this one will be loyal, she’ll never leave him. He’ll make sure of it)

[lilareviewsbooks]

4 SFF Books For (Humanities) Nerds

Hey guys! I know I promised this like, last year, but life got in the way :( But now I can finally present to you - my list of books for humanities nerds!

To put it simply, these are books I think broach topics that are close to the humanities nerds' interests - sociology, history, art, anthropology, political sciences... And sure, they could be considered "boring", but if you're into the humanities - you'll have a ball with them! (and, of course, anyone can enjoy these!)

The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison

5 stars | 446 pages | standalone, but there are spin-offs | queer side character

This is the book that spurred this list, so, if you want a longer review, I have it on my blog. But suffice it to say that The Goblin Emperor is a fairly long and detailed account of what happens in the court of a country of elves when the youngest, unfavoured and half-goblin son of the king ascends the throne. This book is masterful. It seemlessly weaves in personal and political concerns as we follow Maia, the newly crowned emperor. The writing style is slow - we follow the emperor's every day life. We are with him when he rises in the morning until when he wakes up. It waits for something to happen, and is quiet and slow. It's absolutely delightful: despite his politicking, Maia is mostly and more ardently concerned with kindness. He wants to treat people fairly. This not only makes for a sweet main character, it also means the book is a fascinating character study, as well as an incredible feat of world-building. I think nerds will enjoy its slow and traquil pace, its dedication to politics, language and customs of this world and its charming main character.

A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine

5 stars | 462 pages | completed duology | queer main characters

For a sci-fi twist, I think A Memory Called Empire is the way to go. The duology follows Mahit, a citizen of a small satellite of the Teixcalaan Empire, who is chosen as the next ambassador for her home. She must journey to the capital with a very important mission - find out why her predecessor mysteriously disappeared. Again, what there is to enjoy here is lush, expansive world-building. The Teixcalaani feel so, so real. Every little detail was thought of, from their language to their smiles. It's truly impressive, and the prose, I remember, is also beautiful, making these details pop out even more. This is also incredibly political, as Mahit descends into the belly of the beast, so to speak, in search of answers. But it is framed by a pretty straight-foward murder mystery, which might be fun for people used to mystery stories. And the second book broaches first contact! - it's just so much fun! I also have a longer review for this series, if you would like more details! Nerds will be drawn to the expansive world-building, attention to detail, and reflections on empire, memory and legacy.

Elder Race, by Adrian Tchaikovsky

4 stars | 201 pages | standalone | no one's queer, I don't think :(

This one might be a good pick for veterans of SFF - it has a fun gimmick! You must've heard the phrase "any science advanced enough in undistinguishable from magic", attributed to Arthur C. Clarke. This book takes that concept and runs with it. For Lynesse, a princess in a medieval society, Elder Nyr's "giant tower" is magical, and he, a magician. For Elder Nyr, an anthropologist come from a different planet, his interests are scientific, and his "tower", a spaceship. The fun of the novella is that we flip-flop between these two people's perspectives, so that half the story is a sci-fi, and the other half, a fantasy. I found this story to be unique, and to understand its place in the speculative genre quite well. It defies expectations and conventions in a creative way that I think nerds familiar with them will enjoy!

The Traitor Baru Cormorant, by Seth Dickinson

5 stars | 399 pages | uncompleted series | queer main characteres

Another good bet is The Traitor Baru Cormorant, the first installment in the Masquerade Series, which is not finished yet. It follows Baru, who, as a child, watches her country be colonized by the Masquerade Empire. She vows revenge, and to destroy the empire from the inside out. In this installment, she is finally trusted to be sent as an Imperial Accountant to Aurdwynn, a famously ungovernable territory... This one is very, very brain-y. It's dense political fantasy, and I admit I had some trouble following the economics, sometimes - that was never my strong suit!! The tapestry of betrayals, alliances and twists is rich, intricate and realistic. People have diverse interests, are multi-faceted individuals, and yet have a reason to be acting they way they are acting. This makes for satisfying plot lines, and incredible twists. I still haven't recovered from what the first book did to me, to be honest. Nerds, if you want to be dazzled and made to work for it, pick this one up. The Traitor Baru Corumorant will have you scratching your chin, thinking hard and having a lot of fun with (yay!) economics and accounting!

I have a couple more of these if anyone is interested :) And as always, if you need a book rec, feel free to send me an ask!

[moistvonlipwig]

Cordelia Chase + 2, 8, 10

yay :D

2. How would I have chosen to change their story from canon?

I think the most important thing for me is that we needed to be let in on the truth that she was being possessed in Angel S4 far, far earlier -- by the end of "Apocalypse, Nowish" at the latest -- and we needed to actually hear from her while she was being possessed. Robbing Cordelia, a character whose entire thing is speaking her mind, of her voice for an entire season is so profoundly unjust and misogynistic, and I really do think that giving us a glimpse into her mind and her reactions to what Jasmine is doing with her body would have vastly improved S4 no matter what else went down in that season. However, if I have free reign to change even more of her story, then I think it would've been really interesting for Cordelia to be the one controlling the Beast in an effort to stop Jasmine's plans from coming to fruition. I have a whole rambling write-up here of how that would work on a basic level.

To tell the truth, though -- and I'm aware this puts me in the minority when it comes to Cordelia fans -- I wouldn't actually axe the possession storyline or Cordelia's eventual death & ascension entirely. I'm actually a big defender of the idea that Cordelia's arc should end with her death. I just think the execution of the possession/mystical pregnancy storyline was really poor (and was made even worse by both Joss's treatment of Charisma behind-the-scenes, and by Fred suffering a speedrun of the same fate in one of Angel's most hideously misogynistic episodes ever a season later).

I would also give her way more scenes with Gunn. Although, that's more of an issue with Gunn's character arc and the way it stopped existing in Seasons 3 & 4. And I would have liked to see her appear on Buffy in Season 6 -- I actually don't dislike Riley (even if I think his arc ended up going to several terrible places), but I think "As You Were" (or an episode like it) would be infinitely more interesting if it were Cordelia coming back to town instead. Cordelia started as Buffy's shadow self, the popular mean girl part of herself she had to leave behind in Los Angeles, and it would've been interesting to have Cordelia show up at Buffy's lowest point, now serving as a reflection of the kind of person Buffy wishes she could be. I think Cordelia got good closure with Xander in "The Prom," but she never quite got closure with Buffy, and I think an episode like this could've been a great sequel to "Homecoming."

8. What is a headcanon I have about this character?

Hm! Well, I am an ace Cordy truther, so there's that. I also have a headcanon that in her will she left instructions for her will's executor (probably Lilah) to sue Angel on her behalf for his mishandling of her company Angel Investigations. He gave up the money without a fight, and shortly thereafter, Stanford student Connor Reilly discovered he'd been selected for a scholarship he'd never heard of.

10. Did I like them immediately or did it take a while before I warmed up to their character? Alternatively, did I dislike them immediately or did they lose my trust as their story progressed?

Well, after watching the first episode of Buffy, my two favorite characters were Cordelia and Willow, in that order, sooo, yeah, I liked her pretty immediately! I've always been drawn to mean girl/popular girl/hyperfeminine 'bitch' type characters. So it's no surprise that she clicked with me right off the bat. But I would say I definitely fell deeper in love with her character through watching Angel. In the early seasons of Buffy I was just kind of like, oh she's fun. :) But by the end of Angel she was unequivocally my favorite character in the Buffyverse and one of my favorite characters ever. (I had kind of the opposite trajectory with Willow, funnily enough, where I'm not at all a fan anymore, largely due to the way her arc falls flat on its face partway through S6 and never recovers.) Also, I was spoiled for Angel S4 (thank our lord and savior Cordelia herself), so I knew Cordelia was possessed by Jasmine the whole time, so there was never a part of her arc where I disliked her.

[wannabe-cartoonist-blog]

finally drawing everybody's animal form after like 4 years into this au. randomly, I started with Touou. (plus bonus hanamiya bc i don't feel like coming up with the rest of kirisaki)

See more art from the AU | read the series (kagakuro main pairing)

Explanation on selections under the cut! plus some fun animal facts!!

Aomine: black jaguar/panther. this is was an easy one, considering its a canon comparison (it's his Animal Instinct). that being said, it really does fit him! a rather lethargic creature, he's often napping in the sun or found lounging around on any free surface, but you sure don't want to get on his bad side.

Momoi: I have an agenda which is to include Momoi as a GoM any chance I get, so I very well couldn't have her as the only non-shifter in the Teiko pack now could I? That being said, it was super hard to place her, but after a little research, I decided to pick a species that highlighted her intelligence (a parrot) and then picked a subspecies that matched her aesthetically. therefore, we have the galah (aka a pink cockatoo). she's a friendly and vocal little bird and can often be seen perching on Kuroko and/or Aomine when shifted.

Sakurai: a more recent epiphany, originally I thought he was going to remain a non-shifter. but after getting a really dumb idea, I decided to double-check to see if there were any creatures that both matched my idea and fit sakurai aesthetically/characteristically. the idea? to check to see what animals consume mushrooms as part of their diet. lo and behold, one such species is the hedgehog, which I happen to think aesthetically matches sakurai pretty perfectly. it was like a little epiphany. sakurai and hedgehogs are both small and round but a little prickly. perfection.

Imayoshi: another character who remained status-less for a long time. however, upon re-watching the series I concluded that Imyaoshi is very snake-like in his expressions. after i decided that, I simply googled black breeds of snakes. eastern rat snakes are non-venomous and are therefor constrictors, who wrap around and squeeze their prey. a slow, drawn out sort of style of killing, which I think matches his conniving, slightly sadistic nature quite well. they are cute little things though and rather non-aggressive towards humans.

Hanamiya: a canon comparison (the spider's web), so he was a character who always had a second-skin when I came up with the au. however, it would be damn right goofy to just have a normal spider try to be threatening in my mind, so I tried to come up with other variants than a simple black widow/whatever the animators drew for the Spider's Web sequence. in the fic, I wrote him to be a goliath birdeater tarantula, the biggest species of arachnid, but upon reflection, I decided that it was quite important to me to keep him as a spider, that way webs would still come into play. so, I sacrificed size and looked into other, more threatening-looking and acting spiders that also spun webs and then I learned about the funnel web spider, a species native to Australia (of course). technically, they more so build spider web nests, as opposed to traditional, airborne webs, but they're fascinating little creatures. look at a close up of them too, quite frightening! they also have some of the biggest fangs relative to their body size amongst their species. they also do threatening little dances where they fan out their limbs and also have venom. their venom is extremely toxic, and can cause severe drops in blood pressure, comas, or in extreme cases, organ failure and death; so if you ever encounter one, be extremely cautious, as they are very aggressive/territorial (I personally hope to never encounter one in my life-time; though they are funnily sassy-seeming in the videos I've seen). males are typically smaller than the females, but I decided to make Hanamiya an exception and have him be on the larger side (the whole species ranges from 1cm-5cm typically) but the largest male on record was 7.9cm (a little over 3 inches)!!

[marvel-starwarsfangirl]

Why I Love Crosshair- A Story About Persevering

I talk about Crosshair so much on my blog. With TBB ending in a few days, I wanted to share with y'all why he resonates with me so deeply. This show and these characters have touched the hearts of so many in this fandom. I'm curious, which Batcher has resonated with you? Anyways, here we go!

Crosshair's hot. That's it. I'm a simple woman. Moving on.

He's really freaking cool- I'm not gonna like, seeing Crosshair make those trick shots has me on the edge of my seat. It's just so much fun to watch someone do an incredible skill whether it's dance, playing music, or in Crosshair's case, take out several battle droids with one shot. I love it.

His character arc- Crosshair is one of the most interesting and complex characters I've met in recent years. I'm not going to lie, it's refreshing to see a really well-written morally grey character. Crosshair's one and only loyalty is to his family (plus a few others). He will do anything for them. However, Crosshair isn't drawn to some bigger cause like Echo or Omega are. From my POV, it's something interesting to think about. What makes a good person? How far is one willing to go for someone they love? At what point does that loyalty and love turn selfish or self-destructive? These are all questions that Crosshair's character brings up.

I also appreciate the love and passion put into his character. Jennifer and the team took their time to give Cross a proper redemption. It wasn't as simple as "Crosshair just flips on a dime" or "he dies proving he still loved them." No. The change had to come from Crosshair. Crosshair had to be the one to make the steps towards coming home. It had to be his choice and his choice alone, not something that was forced onto him. I really appreciate that tbh. People are so complex and we all make mistakes. Crosshair made some pretty bad choices (not that he was 100% in control). Still, he had to figure things out for himself and when he was ready, he decided to come home.

His story- Crosshair's story is one of struggle and persevering in my eyes. "The Outpost" is one of the best depictions of what it's like to struggle with mental health. It's why I love it so much. I see a lot of myself in Crosshair. So often, it's much easier to just lie down and quit. But Crosshair doesn't quit. No. He fights. He fights so hard and in the end, he makes it. To see Crosshair come home after so long meant the world to me. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. You can and will make it. And he didn't do it alone. Omega continued to be a light in his life. Crosshair reminds me to never give up. Even when it all seems impossible, we need to keep going and there is hope for the future. When he meditates with Omega, I almost cried. That episode reminded me of my mom because she's constantly encouraging me and supporting me. She always tells me that I have to be the one to help myself. It's difficult and she will be there, but I can't just expect things to fix themselves. Similarly, Omega told Crosshair that he needed to help himself. I don't think I've ever related to a SW character as much as I have with Crosshair.

Crosshair has taught me so much about myself. Through him, I've learned that there's a lot going on in my head that I need to work on. I realized why S1 Hunter pissed me off so much. Because like Cross, there are times at home where I feel like no one listens. He taught me to keep going, to keep fighting, especially in times of great uncertainty. Crosshair and Omega's relationship shows just how special the impact of one person can have. I see their relationship reflected in my life in many ways. There's so much more I can say about Cross, but we would be here forever lol.

I am so grateful for Crosshair. I am so grateful for his story. He might be just a character, but he's really helped me tackle some rough times in my life. I love him with all my heart and will forever be thankful to TBB team for bringing his story to life.

Thank you DBB, Jen, Brad, Michelle, and everyone on TBB team. Thank you for everything ❤️

[red-eclipse]

—⋆⊰ [R]esting on Blossom's desk is an envelope. Custom-made, hued with shades of blue and purple to create the pattern of a galaxy, dotted with whites for stars. Bedazzled with a small coat of glitter, it's clear it was made by hand, with love and care.

CURLICUE handwriting in vibrant ink inside reflects an eloquent hand, wafting the vague scent of green apple and rosewater.

Darling Blossom, Fate, although fickle, has been kind enough to smile down on me and allow me the ability to send this to you. You've grown into quite the gorgeous young lady, haven't you? We may not belong to the same world, but everyone on this Green Gate adores you. Starla and Daisy desperately wish they could meet you right this moment! Alas, these starships of life we ride on aren't quite on the same course yet. Though, on the day the stars align, we'll all accept you into open arms with blithe and jubilee. Find Comet on the third day of Celeste when your caregiver finally manages to breach the walls of chaos. Our constellations are in proximity. And through those who love us, we will connect. And please, do never forget that we all love you very much. You are ours just as we are yours. Don't mourn or fret that this will be our only meeting, simply show the rays of sunshine your smile bring, and with time, prosperity and hope will surround you. You always did you have your mother's smile, forever a treasure to all of us. Yours until the cosmos fall into place and far long after, Aunt Galaxina

— @dreamingofeos

Last night, after these events.

.☘︎ ݁˖— Training days had become more and more grueling as her attempts to correct her physique became harsher, often leaving her with little to no energy at the end of them. Today had been such a day marked in her schedule, both training in the gym and in the rink all day—she was starting to at least get those landings close to perfect, but it was rather finicky to do so in a way that judges would deem 'safe' and 'controlled'. She made it home with no issues, tossing her duffelbag on the floor, locking her door behind her for some privacy before she dropped on her bed. She'd already showered at the gym, sore limbs somewhat soothed but in pain nonetheless.

.☘︎ ݁˖—Soon , she rises from bed and makes her way to her desk to log in her daily exercise on her schedule. She was about to pick up a pen when she noticed the most curious sight. It is a lovely envelope with such glittery, vibrant colors. She picks up the foreign object, noting it was addressed to her. Confused, she opens it and notices the pleasant smell and super cute handwriting—whoever this was definitely had fun making such an elaborate paper craft, it made her softly smile.

But the smile didn't last long, as her eyes glided through those carefully drawn sentences. The first time she read it, she was absolutely stupefied, having to reread it over and over again to try and comprehend the absolute bombshell of information provided by this unassuming piece of paper.

Why now?

Where were you before?

There's people.. like me?

No, this can't be real. This has to be some sick joke!! Did the girls from class do this?! But that doesn't make sense, nobody else knows my mom's name.

No, no it can't be true!! I can't get my hopes up like this i can't.

.☘︎ ݁˖— Tears flow, tears she's held for years built up over her loss of self, the loss of what she could have partaken in, her loss of culture. Tears of mourning over people she never even met and had scarce information on. Why now? Why wasn't this sent sooner? If you were alive all this time, why didn't you reach out sooner?!

WHY, WHY CAN'T I FIND YOU. WHY CAN'T I FIND ANYTHING ABOUT MYSELF?!

Crumpling the paper ever so slightly, holding it as if it were a stuffed animal for comfort she fell back on the floor. Her cries turning to bawling, screaming the likes of which she hadn't done since she was little—since Dad lost her arm, you have to be a strong girl for your Dad, Blossom.

"Why... why..." She whimpers and shrinks in the middle of the floor, trying to calm herself down as that thought comes to mind. Still she is caressing that piece of paper as she wrestled with her cyclone of emotions.

[katatonicimpression]

25, 26, 28, 30 for Monet

This got long

25. When do you think they acted the most ooc

There's quite a few moments and cameos that just feel like a completely different person, and a few more that feel bland and character-less. Shout out to that thankless appearance in uncanny x-men 410-12 comic shortly after gen-x finished where she slut-shames stacy x and the writer forgot she could fly.

But if I were to nominate a bigger thing, it's obviously uncanny xmen (2016), where she's ooc the entire time in my opinion. She's framed as morally dubious, excessively sexualised and just generally urgh. Consider the following:

i. Greg Land - specifically that same face greg land gives all women

ii. The white woman + paint bucket tool off it all*

iii. The plastic sculpted mannequin tits.. with nipples!

iv. The way she is talking to sabretooth. what is this dialogue? this commanding dominatrix thing? I could imagine something like this from, like, selene? or maybe emma but if she was talking to somebody else? This just doesn't feel like her it reads like bad porn dialogue

*incidently, there's this kinda weird thing about this series that because it was the first time monet was drawn with consistently darker skin since gen x, a lot of people use the art from it as indicative of how she should be drawn. And, like, i'm sorry but Land drew a white lady and coloured her skin darker. And the series itself has a weird relationship with both her race and her background. Let's not settle for this. Come on.

Anyway, it's my all time nomination for worst monet writing. But dishonourable mentions to the latter half of xfi, weapon x-force and whatever the fuck duggan was going for with the whole groping thing.

26. When do you think they were being "themselves" the most?

Ooh so writing wise, she's the most in character in Gen X, the first half of X-Factor Investigations, and in a few more cameo appearances (like that hellfire gala run of the infinity comic where she's a main, giant size storm). She's pretty much there in x-men 2013 and x-corp.

In universe though.. because she's literally not been herself a few times. Firstly, there's being literally two kids in a trenchcoat, and the time spent fused with Marius (M-Plate 2.0) and there's the (presumed) upcoming horseman thing. On top of this there's just a lot of her being miserable and off-kilter, not really living her life for herself as herself.

I think that even though she's not really happy at the massachusetts academy, or at xfi, she does seem to exist as herself here. This is how she is when navigates the world, whereas when she's living in the mansion or in the savage land it's very much her trying to escape her trauma and feels unstable in that way. I also feel like she never really felt comfortable with Krakoa - which is not text but entirely vibes. I just feel like she couldn't just be there.

But the point is that, if we follow the metaphor of penance as she appears in Gen X, being trapped in that form is not a external force pushing her into a role she doesn't belong to. Instead it eminates out of her. It is a reflection of something very true to herself. And that's interesting, right?

28. The most unnecessary thing they ever did?

She did not need to interrupt that whole massive fight thing with the death gods in XFI just to yell at Lorna but also I am so on her side in that. It was a massive liability and could have got everyone killed... BUT she had every right to be mad, and the whole thing is framed as like "why is she making such a fuss" despite also spelling out how right she is.. weird series.

Off topic, but there was a post the other day being like "wouldn't it be fun to see lorna react to pietro and monet dating? she'll be mad about it in a funny way." and, like, to me the most in character thing for Monet to do would be to never acknowledge Lorna's presence and never speak to her outside of necessary x-men stuff. Because, even though i don't think lorna is like evil or anything, mocking someone and talking down to them while they relieve the worst trauma of their life while laughing off the fact that they were literally just sexually assaulted is a pretty bad first meeting, even though she apologised. Monet was what like 20? at the time, I don't think she'd shake that negative first impression.

30. The funniest scene they had?

Sorry but that bit with her and 'star sitting on the roof talking about rictor is genuinely very funny to me

There's actually a lot of good little jokes in xfi, especially earlier on. And x-corp is very funny, hell even the opening "we're simply superior" got me good, and her ignoring the message from shaw is very funny.

But the funniest scene she's ever been involved in is this:

[whumpasaurus101]

Chapter Four

WOOO Niko does not have a fun time, nor will he for quite a while <3

Previous

---

Niko thought that being in the room by himself would be a nice break, but it wasn't as great as he thought. He sat on the cold concrete ground, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he felt a shiver ripple up his spine. His body was shaking, only exhausting him more.

There was a dim light bulb over him, flickering occasionally. All he could hear was the distant buzz of the electricity and the occasional drip as water fell from his soaked clothes and hair. He took a shaky breath, not allowing himself to cry. Stop it. You’ve been trained for this. They were right, you are weak.

His wounds stung, Aaron had warned him not to bring the knife, but Niko had heard all the stories about Martyn- it was stupid to go in without defence.

The door clicked open, making Niko jump, his head snapping up. His eyes met with his target’s and he gulped.

“Niko, Niko, Niko,” Martyn drawled, slowly stepping into the room, “Had a nice reflection?” 

Niko glared up at the man, hatred bubbling in his chest, “Let me go,” He growled, fists clenching as his knuckles were white.

“You look cold,” Martyn remarked, pouting slightly before smiling, “I have a lovely warm bath drawn for you and a change of clothes heating up on the radiators. I could even get you a nice warm bowl of soup too. Doesn't that sound nice?”

Niko hated how his stomach grumbled. He hugged his knees even tighter to his chest. It sounded like pure heaven. He would do anything for that- no… no he wouldn't. He’s going to stay strong for his team… strong and cold.

Martyn took a few strides forward before bending down to his hunkers, cupping Niko’s cheek as he smiled, “All you have to do is tell me about your team.” 

Niko’s bottom lip started wobbling as a whimper escaped his throat, “I-I don't- I-” he blew out a shaky breath, blinking hard as he licked his lips. Don't you dare cry. His body was shaking from the cold as his brain whirled, trying to figure out what to do.

“My..my date, she had all the links!” “What’s her name?”

“I…I don't remember-”

“Bullshit you don't remember.”

Niko winced as the grip turned harsh against his skin, “N-No…I don't remember, we- we had only met the other day-” His voice sounded desperate. He had to watch his every word, being sure not to give away too much and not slip up. 

“Well, you're a shitty date,” Martyn scoffed, “I'll be honest, Niko, I am calling bullshit. I wouldn't take you as that kind of a person. And not to mention, the knife we found on you does not back up your story, now does it?”

Niko gulped. Ah… he forgot about that…

“Here’s how it goes, Niko, for every lie you tell me, the less and less of my trust you have. I'll be honest, buttercup, you are really making things harder on yourself than it has to be.”

Niko gulped, the lump in his through only seeming to be getting bigger the longer he held in his cries.

“Nothing?” Martyn hummed, “Gonna give me the silent treatment?”

Niko clenched his jaw, looking away as Martyn’s hold on him left. Martyn let out a sigh before standing, “Right, have it your way. Up on your knees.”

Niko’s eyes snapped back to meet his captor’s, eyebrows furrowing. Martyn simply raised and eyebrow and waited. Niko clenched his jawn tight before slowly getting to his knees.

Martynn beamed, “There we go! Now, hold out your arms nice and straight before you, do not drop them until I say so, understood?” 

Niko rolled his eyes before holding out his arms. This was stupid, what kind of dumb joke was this?

But the distant burn traveling from his shoulders, rippling through the length of his arms soon shut him up. About a minute in, hi sarms began shaking. He squeezed his eyes shut tight before slightly lowering his arms.

“Up.” Was all he had to hear to force himself to raise them back up. God it burned.

“This can all be over once you just tell me what I want to know.” martyn cooed, circling the shaking figure. Niko tried to distract himself with anything he could. COunting from one to ten and then ten to one. 

“Hands behind your head now.”

“I-I cant…” Niko whimpered, his eyes screwed shut tight.

“You can, and you will,” Martyn growled, “Unless you would like to share some information with me.

A tear slipped down his cheek as he considered his options for a moment before moving his hands behind his head;

Stay strong for the team.

---

next

---

Taglist: @blood-enthusiast @deckofaces @whumpifi @sleepy-dog-boy @whumpatize-me-captain @a-n-i-a-fan @sparrowsage @theelvishcowgirl @sorry-i-spaced @juniperspring @cherrychupachup @morning-star-whump @thelazywitchphotographer

[coraniaid]

Doug Petrie and Jane Espenson both joined the Buffy writing team in Season 3 and they each wrote three episodes that season.

Across the three Doug Petrie written episodes -- Revelations, Bad Girls and Enemies -- Faith has more speaking time than any other character except for Buffy (about 50% more speaking time than Angel, the character with the third most speaking time in that block of episodes).  In Enemies, she has more speaking time than Buffy herself.  

Furthermore, in all three of these episodes Faith is a central character to the plot: one whose actions and decisions and mistakes drive the story in fundamental ways. From being fooled by Gwendolyn Post into fighting Angel and Buffy, or accidentally killing Allan Finch, or willingly working with the Mayor to betray and abduct her fellow Slayer.  

Throughout these episodes Faith has a clear character arc in terms of her conflicted relationship with parental figures (compare “I just have this problem with authority figures: they end up kind of dead” to “We’re Slayers [...] why should we let [Watchers] take all the fun out of it?” or to “You get the Watcher, you get the Mom [...] what do I get?”) and of course her relationship with Buffy herself (Revelations opens with Buffy insisting that “really, we’re just good friends” after teasing the idea of going out with Faith on something that isn’t quite a date; Enemies ends with Faith warning Buffy that “kill me, you become me: you’re not ready for that” before kissing her on the forehead).

If you only watched the three episodes of Season 3 that Doug Petrie wrote, you'd probably assume that Faith was a major character of the whole show, as important as almost any other member of the core cast.

And you would, of course, be completely right.

On the other hand, across the three Jane Espenson written episodes -- Band Candy, Gingerbread and Earshot -- Faith does not speak one word of dialogue.  She does not appear on screen in any of these episodes, with her absence going entirely unexplained in two of them (even though they all take place after she arrives in town and Giles has been assigned by the Council to take care of her).  Only Earshot explicitly acknowledges the fact that she even exists (although something Joyce says in Gingerbread does, arguably, at least imply that there are Slayers other than Buffy).  

These three episodes instead give much more time to characters like Joyce and Giles and Cordelia Chase -- key characters since Season 1 who have a greatly reduced presence in the three Douglas Petrie episodes.  (Funnily enough, Angel himself and this season's big bad Mayor Wilkins also have rather less presence in these episodes than they do in the first three.)

If you only watched the three episodes of Season 3 that Jane Espenson wrote, you'd probably conclude that Faith is only a fleeting presence in the show.  A shadow who can only affect the world through Buffy Summers; an unseen ghost whose influence is reflected through Buffy's worsening relationship with her mother ("This is not a good town [...] it belongs to monsters [...] and the Slayers") or through her troubled relationship with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend ("I’ve been with dozens of girls like her" is perhaps not the most tactful thing Angel ever says).  

You might even decide that Faith is not quite a character in her own right at all: she's more of an absence, a possibility, or an idea that Buffy has dreamt up.  Someone who Buffy enjoys spending time with ("not that she was so bad to have around" she tells Angel), someone who Buffy sympathizes with ("she was hurting a lot, and [...] protective-type people might be drawn to that”), possibly even someone who she's attracted to ("to the naked eye, [kissing Faith] looked fun" she tells Willow at one point; “she has the whole, you know, bad girl thing working for her” she tells Angel later).  Based on these three episodes, you’d likely think Faith only exists in the show at all in relation to Buffy.

And you'd be completely right about that too.